Sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts represented the University of Alabama for the Manning Award, as the Allstate Sugar Bowl released its preseason list for the honor on Wednesday.
Hurts joins five other Southeastern Conference signal callers, including Austin Allen (Arkansas), Nick Fitzgerald (Mississippi State), Jacob Eason (Georgia) and Drew Lock (Missouri).
He earned the league’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2016, following a season in which he compiled 2,780 passing yards, 954 rushing yards and 36 total touchdowns (school record).
Despite having four 100-yard rushing performances as a freshman, Hurts has been working on his accuracy and timing as a passer throughout summer practice and fall camp.
With a new pair of coordinators helping him – Brian Daboll and Michael Locksley – the native Texan has a chance to navigate the Crimson Tide back to the College Football Playoff national title game.
Named after Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning, the Manning Award has been presented annually since 2004 and it goes to the best college football quarterback via the Sugar Bowl Committee.
The 6-foot-2, 214-pounder has now been selected for Maxwell, Walter Camp, Davey O’Brien, Earl Campbell Rose Tyler (Texas roots) and Manning preseason award lists.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
